Today we’d like to introduce you to Misti Western.
Hi Misti, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Becoming an entrepreneur can be an intimidating process for most people. I have always wanted to be my own boss, set my own hours, make my own schedule, and not have to worry about dress codes, or even answering to anyone but myself. I took a leap right after Covid to quit my full time 9-5, Monday- Friday receptionist job to start full time cosmetology school. I had a full vision when I went in to sign up. My initial idea was to get my Master’s In Esthetics and my Barber License; skin care fascinates me, especially with the cannabis industry booming I plan to make my own cannabis-based products for skin and hair care. I also view Barbering as an easy hustle, my thought was who wouldn’t want their haircut and a scalp massage by a cute blonde, plus all the easy add-ons, what an easy sale. Well, so I thought. I went to Taylor Andrews Academy to sign up for the programs I had decided on, but they presented me with the Cosmetology program. Within the cosmetology program you get your Cosmo, Barber, and Basics in Esthetics license, plus they had an add-on of getting certified in Classic Eyelash Extensions; so of course, I was like sign me up. I started the full time Cosmetology program in November 2020 at Taylor Andrews Academy in West Jordan. I had so many feelings, me being a mother of 3 quit my full time job to go back to school, it was nerve-wracking, but it is something I knew was right for me. I started the program full-heartedly ready to take on the world. I was going through a separation with my youngest son’s dad at this time as well so my whole world was being rocked. Two weeks into my program I get a phone call while I’m in class, a freak accident happened, my son’s dad had cut his leg with a circular saw. Cutting above his knee, completely cutting his LCL, all his muscles, his bone, and nicked his artery. Talk about traumatizing. He was over an hour away from me, and mind you this happened during Covid times. There was no way for me to get to him. I broke down, my instructor took me outside to calm me down. At this point, I was questioning everything. Thank god he was rushed into surgery, and was on a fast recovery. I continued my schooling, even though it was extremely emotional in my day to day. I put all my energy back into my schooling, had to remind myself why I had started, all the sacrifices that I had made, plus I have my 3 little humans relying on me, watching my every move. I changed my thinking into making everything optimistic; everything happens how it should when it should. Regardless of what it may be. Fast forward 8 weeks, it was time for test outs to be put on the floor to take clients. I remember my men’s test out haircut specifically, it was a mid-bald-fade with a Mohawk top. I was sweating bullets, it took me 3 hours to complete. I was in the barbering room, surrounded by so many barber students that had been cutting hair. I was so intimidated, but I knew I could do it. My nerves were just against me. Good thing my model was my oldest sister, she was extremely patient and understanding. This was my first fade on a real person instead of a mannequin mind you. I finished it and was like wow I really do love this. I passed all my tests and my written; I was now on the floor ready to take clients. I had several women’s colors, Blonding services, ie. highlights, platinum cards, balayages, haircuts, scalp treatments, deep conditions, waxing services but not a lot of men’s cuts unless I brought them in myself. I became excellent in blonding, it was just my nitch, I loved it! I just wanted to learn more and more about the color wheel, how the bond in the hair is changed, how to formulate properly. I had a lot of trial and error, I learned color doesn’t work on color. My mind was blown away with how much actually goes into doing hair. My mind went from just being a barber and getting my master’s into being a full-blown cosmetologist. The beauty industry has so much more to offer than I ever realized. I got my certification in doing classic lashes shortly after. Another nitch that I fell madly in love with. Lashes, blonding, and men’s cuts. What a crazy combination. My hunger for knowledge within the beauty industry grew more and more, my thoughts what else can I learn, what else can I add to my roster? Soon there was a school trip coming up, IBS in Vegas. How fun I thought! I learned I could get products and more certifications for my industry, what a great opportunity. Of course, I was on board, I signed up immediately. There I got some basic products, but most importantly I got certified in Sunless Spray Tanning through Norvel Co, and purchased my first Sunless Spray Tanning gun. Talk about excitement. I’m almost halfway through my program at this point and I already have two certificates; my Classic Eyelash Extensions and my Sunless Spray Tanning. I was soaring, until I total my car on the freeway in July 2021. I had to take an LOA putting everything I have been working so hard for on hold. I went from being a full time cosmo student on cloud nine to figuring out what I needed to do for my family. I had to get a full time job to replace my vehicle, so that meant no more full time day school. I landed another full time receptionist position but this one was at a lash lounge, so it was still within my industry, it was perfect. I switched to night school, because what else could I do? Honestly wasn’t my favorite but it had to be done. Fast forward 4 months of me doing this I was able to save and get into a car, finally! I quit my receptionist position, deciding to go back to school full time, I picked up a serving job at Olive Garden 3 days a week. I was ready to just be done with school at this point. I watched all my friends graduate, as I still had hours to collect. I put my head back into what I set out for, reminding myself that everything happens as it should, my time is coming. I got my head back into studying, learning more and more prepping for state boards. Man state boards, now that was absolutely nerve-wracking. Taylor Andrews has a program called Salon Life, which preps you for your state practical exam. I remember my entire body convulsing because I was so scared of failing during this test out. It took my class a day and a half to finish the run-through. I passed, phew now it was time for the real thing. I was ready. I schedule my state written and practical within a week apart. I pass my written with flying colors, I had so much confidence I was ready to just be done with state boards. Finally, it’s my time for my practical, this is the harder test of the two mind you, this is with the clients. I show up, kit in hand, ready to go….just to be sent home because I had a temporary paper driver’s license; the state of Utah requires you to have a valid hard copy DL, no temporaries. Man I was so frustrated. I had to reschedule my exam for weeks out, which made me extremely nervous. I was afraid I was going to forget some of the steps that were required for each client during my practical, 6 different clients. Man, I was stressing, looks like back to studying. Weeks go by, finally, it’s time to take my practical, it’s now June 2022. I show up nerves in hand, body shakes and all ready to take this exam and get it out of the way. 6 hours pass, final exam is out of the way! I’ve done it, now it’s time to wait for my results.. hours go by, and bam! I passed my barber portion… thank the hair gods now I’m just waiting anxiously for my cosmo portion. A whole day goes by and no test results. Man when am I going to get my results. Finally, I get an email and I passed. That’s it. I’m finished with state boards, an entire weight has been lifted off of my chest. I did it, and now I just have to finish my school hours. It’s July 2022, I’m graduating. I finished my program. I did it, finally, after everything, I’m done. I applied for my state licensing now it’s a waiting game on when I can start my dream career. As I wait for all the paperwork to be processed and everything to go into effect, I decided to take an extended lash course. Within that course, I learned hybrid, volume, and mega volume lashes. It was such an amazing experience, getting to see so many clients, and watching what actually happens in a lash techs world. Plus I just gained a great relationship with my trainer, everything was falling into place. My licensing finally went into place now I can start taking my own clients, but first I had to find a place to take these clients. My trainer let me use her space for a small fee per eyelash client but I needed more. I was fortunate enough to have a friend whose suite was right next door, to let me start taking hair clients. We set up the room for cosmetology/esthetic clients. Man, it’s all falling into place, what a gratifying feeling. Being an entrepreneur is working 24/8. Posting, marketing, investing, continuing your education. It’s a never-ending thing. I know that this is just the beginning of my journey, but I wouldn’t change a single thing. I have much bigger things coming. I’m learning more and more every day, I plan to add much more to my client’s menu, stay tuned for what’s to come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had several struggles along the way, but I have never allowed them to limit me. I went through a separation with my youngest child’s father, and we almost lost him shortly after to a freak accident. I totaled my car, I got Covid, had to take LOAs, but I never allowed any of that to stop me from achieving my goals.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in blonding services and eyelash extensions.
I’m known for my blonding services, getting that Icey blonde color.
I am most proud of getting my cosmetology license, starting my business in the beauty industry, and continuing my education regardless of all the obstacles I was given.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is making my clients feel comfortable with all their beauty needs. I follow through with what is wanted, and I will correct anything if it’s not right.
Pricing:
- Partial Highlights $120
- Volume Lashes $130
- Mega Volume Lashes $140
- Platinum Card Starting $150
- Full Highlights $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cannablondebeauty.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/cannablondebeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misti1321?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Misti Western
Madonna Ramirez
